Creating pollinator habitat may seem daunting at first, but it can be made simple, and in the end, will be lower maintenance than lawn care! If you are interested in helping pollinators but don’t know where to start, here are some simple options for creating pollinator-friendly spaces:

Plant a native tree

Trees are a key source of flowers in early spring when many pollinators emerge from winter hibernation and need to collect nectar and pollen for their own survival and to feed their offspring. Moreover, tree leaves provide an important food source for many caterpillar species. For example, a single oak tree can support over 500 species of butterflies and moths! Trees also intercept and absorb rainwater and improve air quality; their shade helps to reduce cooling costs. Residents can take advantage of the City’s tree programs by applying for reimbursement of up to $150 per year for approved trees planted on their property and by requesting tree plantings in the City’s right-of-way area.

Replace a small portion of your lawn with pollinator-friendly wildflowers

While lawns offer little to no pollinator habitat and require regular maintenance, wildflowers provide the nectar and pollen that pollinators require for food and, as the name “wildflower” suggests, require little to no maintenance. If left intact through winter, wildflower stems provide nesting sites for many pollinators, and seeds provide food for native birds. You’ll be amazed at the number of pollinator species you see, even in a small wildflower patch! If you’re wondering what to plant, the Bee City Committee has put together a list of several groups of native plant species, available on the City's website, that will grow well together under different conditions.

Leave the leaves

Less is more when it comes to helping pollinators. Note that while the City offers curbside leaf collection, participation is optional, and there are many benefits to leaving the leaves. Overwintering pollinators rely on fallen leaves to cover and insulate them throughout the winter. In addition, the chrysalises and cocoons of some butterfly and moth species are disguised as dried leaves and are camouflaged among the real leaves. Fallen leaves also provide natural mulch and return organic matter and nutrients to the soil. Leaves can be raked into garden beds or under trees to help amend soil, support water retention, and suppress weeds.

Avoid using pesticides

Pesticides (including insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides) remove important flowers and impair the reproduction, navigation, and memory of pollinators. They also make pollinators more susceptible to other stressors such as habitat loss and pathogens. Although pesticides have been approved for commercial and household use, many have unknown and nontarget effects that harm pollinators. Even organic pesticides are harmful (after all, they’re called “pesticides!”). Creating a diversified habitat, which supports many beneficial species including predators that help control pest populations, is an environmentally friendly way to manage pests. Eliminating standing water will help to reduce mosquito populations.